This research examines the loss of open space in Israel, one of the most acute
environmental problems facing this country, according to several Israeli environmental
organizations. This situation is peculiarly ominous since the beginning of the 1990s while
the area occupied by open space has decreased significantly. Fears linked to the
proliferation of built area have led to the implementation of national outline plans (NOP
31, NOP 35) which aim specifically to concentrate future development into the main
metropolitan regions (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba) to ensure that the
remaining open spaces will be protected optimally. Several factors are responsible for the
loss of open space in Israel. Thus, one of the research objectives is to identify and analyze
how these factors have influenced the extent of open spaces. Furthermore, this research
provides an update of the open spaces’ evolution over the years. Finally, the last chapter
discusses the current issues regarding open space as well as some solutions to enhance its
protection. In order to obtain a thorough picture of the situation, the temporal field of this
study spans from 1948, founding year of the State of Israel, to 2010.